Completed Elmo!

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I finished my son's Elmo costume, well I finally was able to dig out my camera and take a few shots of it this morning.  I think it turned out well.  Hopefully he agrees with me!  Check it out.

I know the pictures aren't the greatest, but I'm brainstorming a way to improve them.  Lots going on behind the scenes right now here at Stitch Silly.  I hoping to unveil some new ideas and news soon...

Talk to Me Tuesdays! - Modern Butter Cup

Today's interview is with a relative newbie.  She has been open since March and it making great progress.  Hopefully some of you loyal readers will stop by and check out her shop and let her know your thoughts.  But before you run off and do that, let's here what she has to say first!

Stitch Silly:  Tell me about yourself.

Modern Butter Cup:  Hello everyone.... I live over at Modernbuttercup, my blog. I am a crafty person who loves terrariums and walking barefoot on the beach. I create jewelry with a touch of whimsy and a bit of quirkiness.

SS: How did you get started with Etsy?

MBC: I have always loved to make things. So when I realized I could actually have a job doing something I loved, I was in. The community on Etsy is great- it's supportive and always full of great advice.

SS:  What is your favorite part of being your own boss?

MBC: I'd say the favorite thing about being my own boss is setting my own work hours. I can enter "work" at 12:00 in the afternoon or at 9:00 at night. It's fun to be your own boss. :)

SS: What is your two favorite products in your shop?

MBC: That's a hard one. But I'd have to say my two favorite items in the shop are: The Silver Chair Necklace and Silver Locket with Glass Beads Necklace. They both are very unique and have lots of intricate detail.

SS: What is your greatest success since joining Etsy?

MBC:  I am new to Etsy, so I haven't had any big successes yet, but my biggest success would definitely be my first sale.

SS: What is your ultimate goal for your Etsy shop?

MBC: My ultimate goal for my Etsy shop is to have a great brand and happy customers. And with happy customers, there's great customer service. My #1 goal is to have product satisfaction and great customer service. Who could want more? :)

SS: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

MBC:   Believe it or not, I have actually tried to figure this out myself. I was up until about 2 in the morning counting how many licks it would take me once... but I miscounted somewhere around the 300 mark. My conclusion? About 392 and I'm probably off by 20 or so licks! So I'll just go with the commercial slogan "How many licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? The world may never know."

Bringing in more buyers

For those of you who are my fellow Etsians, I'm sure you've heard about a recent article written by some researchers at Wharton discussing the effects of free shipping on your shopping habits.  To me this is an enlightening idea.  I never thought about how the shipping fee changes my shopping patterns. 

Honestly, I never thought about this as something that has an effect on my online shopping...until I thought about it.  When I had my son, I signed up for Amazon Mom and got a free year of Amazon Prime.  Having the free shipping with Amazon, I started filtering my searches to only those items that were available for free shipping.  When I make purchases from fabric.com, I always order the minimum amount to get me my free shipping.  I could go on...  It really does effect my shopping habits.  I seek out free shipping and I have even been known to not purchase something online because I couldn't get free shipping.  Now that I am a eCommerce business owner, this is something I should probably consider, and definitely have not. 

I know when I started, my shipping fees were much higher.  Since then I have readjusted my shipping prices, but have not thought to provide many incentives for free shipping.  Perhaps this is a new incentive to offer over the holidays to see if it helps bring in some on line sales.  For a majority of my current sales, this is not an issue as the are mostly local.  I would hope that offering free shipping will attract new customers from across the country. 

I'm curious, has anyone used this and seen a significant sales difference?  Have you seen a difference even in comparison to a percentage discount?  What are you thoughts on the idea of free shipping?

Success...I think!

Well I went home and forced myself to be creative last night.  Sounds like an oxymoron but I think it worked!  I managed to motivate myself to work on one of my custom orders this morning before I had to head into the office.  Unfortunately, tonight will be spent preparing for a family visit so I do not anticipate any huge step in productivity. 

Farm Animal Fabric

You know, LeAnn, I would think that Monday's would be the worst for me as well, but nope, Wednesday is my bad day.  Perhaps we can motivate each other since our rut days seem to be on different days typically. 

A big goal I have for myself over the next week is I want to finish ALL of my outstanding custom projects so I can again get back to focusing on building my inventory.  I have about 3 projects I either need to start or finish that are focused on building my inventory.  Most notably, is my farm animal receiving blanket and burp cloth gift set.  I am partially done with it, and thought I had my price point all picked out.  Then I did more research and now I am second guessing myself.  I'm not sure why, but this gift set is challenging me on my pricing philosophy.  I guess I just have to do some more research.  Off to play with numbers!

Wednesday Ruts

I don't know why, but Wednesdays seem to always get me into a creative rut.  Blogging ideas evade me, sewing slips, knitting isn't motivating.  Somehow, someway, Thursdays are incredibly productive.  I think I need to go out and figure out what it is about Wednesdays that put me in this rut. 

Perhaps it is the build up from the day job's pressures on the week, then as the weekend draws near the pressure subsides.  Who knows, but I'm forcing myself to write this blog in hopes of breaking the cycle!  Will it work?  I'll let you know tomorrow.

Do any of you have a particular day of the week or time that is very hard for them to get and stay motivated?

Talk to Me Tuesdays! - Cuddle Yarn Designs

Stitch Silly:  Tell me about yourself.

Cuddle Yarn Designs: My name is Jessica I reside in Ohio, I am newly married! Although I am not currently employed outside the home, my husband works, so I enjoy the spare time to keep myself busy with crochet! I have been a crocheter for eight years now, and just to sit in a quiet place and let my mind free to do wonderful work is relaxing! I have always thought of myself to be creative and imaginative and I definitely take pride in the things I make! I have no children yet, but look forward to when I do!

SS: How did you get started with Etsy?

CYD: My mother actually got me started with Etsy, she has two amazing shops! Therefore; knowing my own creative ways and how I can make items people would love just as much as I do creating them, so with a room full of yarn, I can now put my heart into my work! you name the colors, I have them! Etsy.com is a wonderful place to get my own little shop that defines me and my work!

SS:  What is your favorite part of about being your own boss?

CYD:  The greatest and most favorite part of being my own boss, is that no one is standing above me to tell me what I can and cannot do with my work. I can simply be..myself and that is wonderful!

SS: What are your two favorite products in your shop?

CYD:  My two most favorite products are my crocheted jewelry, and vintage inspired doilies.  I am a fan of vintage and love accessories!

SS:  What do you most want to improve?

CYD:  I would like to improve my designs, I am still learning different skills and stitch work! I love new ideas and open to suggestions!

SS: What is you ultimate goal for your Etsy shop?

CYD:   My ultimate goal, is to make items like no other! all are one of a kind and it brings me joy to know people love my work! it makes me feel great!

SS: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop.

CYD:  How many licks DOES it take to get the center of a tootsie pop you may ask?  I just eat it!

And lastly, to reach me would be on my shop www.etsy.com/shop/cuddleyarndesigns

Happy Columbus Day

Here in the U.S. many of us are celebrating Columbus Day.  I must admit, this is probably the most baffling U.S. holiday, but alas, people celebrate it...

That said, October is shaping up to be just as busy a month as September.  I just finished another toddler blanket (quickly becoming my best seller!) and a pillow case for a repeat customer.  All the while I'm working on a set of burp cloths and bib set for yet another custom order.  And finally I'm finishing up a pair of gloves that were ordered.  Also, I finally finished my son's Elmo costume with weekend.  (with a little help from mom of course!)  Pictures are coming soon on this one!

In addition to my antics, here's what's happening around the crafting world:

Livi Stitches is talking about her mounds of scrap fabric she has.

Asterope Bead Creations educated us about search ads.  (Very informative I might add!)

And finally, Sea Marie did a wonderful dedication to Steve Jobs.

Enjoy your Columbus day!